If persistence was the first trait NBA scouts looked for, Carl English would already be in the league.

Instead, English is once again marketing himself as a free agent for NBA teams this summer.

English, a former University of Hawai'i basketball star, will begin play today with the Cleveland Cavaliers summer team in the Reebok Vegas Summer League.

"It's what I've always wanted to do, so why not keep trying?" English said. "I've basically been working out all summer preparing for this."

English is a 6-foot-5, 205-pound guard. He left UH after his junior season in 2003, but was not selected in the NBA Draft.

He has spent the last two seasons playing in the National Basketball Development League. He averaged around 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game last season for the Florida Flame.

This is his third try with the NBA. He was cut by the Indiana Pacers in 2003, and the Seattle SuperSonics last year.

"It's a matter of finding the right fit with the right team," English said. "And this seems like a good situation."

The Cavaliers did not draft any guards this year, and could lose two (Jeff McInnis and Dajuan Wagner) to free agency.

English's agent, Justin Zanik, said: "We talked to several teams, and Cleveland showed a lot of interest. Carl being on the summer team is a good sign already."

The summer league is for free agents, rookies, and players with three years or fewer of NBA experience.

Among the other guards on the Cleveland summer roster are Kelenna Azubuike from Kentucky, John Gilchrist from Maryland, John Lucas Jr. from Oklahoma State and Blake Stepp from Gonzaga.

Cleveland is scheduled to play only six games in the Vegas league. All games are played at the Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus.

"It's only a short league, so I'm just hoping I get a chance to show what I can do," English said.

English also participated in a mini-camp with the Milwaukee Bucks two weeks ago.

"He had a good camp there, so we have some options," Zanik said. "We'll just wait until after this summer league and see where it goes from there."

English ranks No. 7 in UH men's basketball history with 1,259 points. He is also second with 162 3-pointers.